Wire Fox Terrier Dogs

Wire Fox Terriers are high-energy dogs with loads of personality. They love to spend their days bouncing around the yard, wrestling on the carpet and exploring the neighborhood. Full of love and spirit, they form incredibly strong bonds with their families. Wire Fox Terriers want to be involved in every birthday party, movie night and backyard barbecue.

Ideal Human Companions

Wire Fox Terriers on Dogster

Trademark Traits

Dependable

Courageous

Energetic

Alert

Protective

Affectionate

What They Are Like to Live With

The Wire Fox Terrier’s strong family bonds, combined with its natural courage, make it an excellent watchdog. Their loyalty knows no bounds, and they have a resounding bark. The legend of the Fox Terrier is packed with stories of rescue and bravery, from rescuing children to fending off dangerous animals.

Wire Fox Terriers are extremely energetic, not to mention curious and intelligent. They need vigorous exercise and “tasks” to maintain a stable mind and body. Take them jogging, walking and running any time of day. If you’re a hiker, they make excellent exploring companions: No matter where you go, they will always be concerned about your safety. Bring a Fox Terrier home and treat it well, and you’ve got a friend for life.

Things You Should Know

Though small, Wire Fox Terriers have real chutzpah. They need firm but positive training from an early age to ensure proper socialization. With a steady, guiding hand to show them the way, Fox Terriers will get along very well with new people and other animals.

Bold and fearless, Fox Terriers may confront larger dogs. Also, being natural hunters, they have the tendency to chase birds and squirrels. Always keep them on a leash for their own protection and, if possible, allow them to occasionally run free in a controlled environment.

A healthy Wire Fox Terrier can live as long as 15 years. Generally healthy, this breed can sometimes develop cataracts and skin allergies. Wire Fox Terriers are fairly easy to groom, needing only the occasional brushing. They should be professionally trimmed several times a year, but they shed very little.

Wire Fox Terrier History

One of the oldest English terrier breeds, Wire Fox Terriers were developed in the 1800s to drive foxes out of their dens once the Hounds had chased them in. For almost a century, Wire Fox Terriers and Smooth Fox Terriers were categorized as the same breed. However, they have very different origins: The Smooth Fox Terrier derived from the working terriers of Wales and Durham, while the coarse-coated Wire Fox Terrier—bred for rougher terrain—has Beagle and Greyhound in its family tree. Official standards for each breed were established in 1984.

The Look of a Wire Fox Terrier

Wire Fox Terriers have small, elegant frames covered in dense and curly white coats with black or brown patches. They have broad, flat heads with long, full muzzles. Their V-shaped ears usually bend forward, and their intense eyes are set slightly apart. They have long, muscular necks that slope down to deep chests and short backs. Their tails, sometimes docked, are carried high. Overall, the Wire Fox Terrier has a rugged but distinguished look.

Talk About Wire Fox Terriers

Smart and a little stubborn

Our little guy is a genuinely cheerful dog. He kept me going through a long illness last year with his cheerful attitude and sweet personality.

He matured into liking to be held, but his nature is to get the ball or toy that you toss and bring it back again. He pursues the ball as though all the dogs in the world were after it. He doesn't have a "quit," so we have to be aware of that and pace the fetching activities.

He is extremely smart and a bit stubborn. "Come" is not his favorite command, but sit, down, and stay were easy for him to learn. For sheer joy of living I don't think he can be equalled.

He is a fierce chaser of squirrels, but will not bother our cat. He loves to be with us but is crate trained, and we can leave him in the house out of the crate and he and his surroundings are safe.

Terriers can be impulsive so I do not recommend them for small children but after the kids are school age and are kind, terriers can be great as long as they are not teased. As with all dogs, early consisent training is very effective. This is our second wirehaired fox terrier. We love them!

~Carlie H., owner of a Wire Fox Terrier

It must be love, love, love

Their intelligence and affection is sometimes unnerving. To live with Freddy is to open new doors all the time.

They are naughty in an intelligent, funny way. If you don't have a significant other, you'll be surprised at how fulfilling this pet can be!